She's Got Legs

If ever a star deserved the sobriquet of "Glamazon," then gorgeous, glamorous, gammy Juliet Prowse (September 25, 1936 - September 14, 1996) was she. Prowse survived an engagement to Frank Sinatra; a fling (and a movie) with Elvis; being labeled "immoral" by Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev; and not one, but two, attacks by the same "tame" leopard on Circus of the Stars. Frankly, if that doesn't qualify someone for an honorary Oscar, AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, Kenndy Center Honor and Nobel Prize, we don't know what does.




Although she made her mark primarily as a Vegas headliner and television entertainer, Prowse also made a handful of movies. We've never had the time to sit through Can-Can (1960, with Sinatra) or G.I. Blues (1961, with Elvis), but you can bet that we've revisited Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) with Sal Mineo many times. And it's so seedy, grimy and sleazy, we need a shower after each viewing. Juliet is a D.J. who's being stalked by Sal, the pervy busboy at the discotheque where she spins her platters. Incidentally, the club owner is played to dykey perfection by none other than Elaine Stritch! Oh, darlings, you just have to see it for yourselves. Here's a little snippet, which doesn't even begin to hint at the sordidness of the actual film:



Miss Prowse passed away from cancer shortly before her 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, Juliet Prowse! We're sure you, Frank, Elvis, Nikita and Sal are dancing up a storm together.